Automaticchaos

Sorry if there is already a thread like this. I searched and couldn't find anything.

Basically it's a "What If" thread.


What if Kurt Cobain never died. Would Nirvana still be recording music? Would Cobain have gone solo? Would music today be any different?

What if Cliff Burton never died in the bus accident. Would Metallica be any better than they are now? Would the "Black Album" still be recorded?

What if Guns n' Roses never broke up?

What if people like Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Layne Stanley, Bradley Nowell(From sublime), Jim Morrison never died?

Discuss. I will wait to add my two cents, after I listen to your opinions.

starrynight

I don't think it would have changed music much. The best work of people is normally in their earlier years, and even if they do good music later it normally isn't that influential. And musical styles only normally last a few years anyway before something else comes along.

Janszoon

I think there would have been a pretty good chance that, by the late 90s, Nirvana would have broken up. At the very least Dave Grohl would have left the band and struck out on his own.

I think they would have maybe stayed good a little longer but they would have still ended up trying to change their style in response to the rise of alternative music and wound up sucking in the end.

As far as I know Guns n' Roses never did break up. So we've all already witnessed that scenario.

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s_k

Thanks for mentioning Nowell. He's often forgotten in these lists .
You probably should have mentioned Nick Drake too, but that's cool.

What I've always found intriguing is this:
Morrison: died age 27
Cobain: died age 27
Nowell: died age 27
Joplin: died age 27
Hendrix: died age 27
Drake: died age 27

I just can't understand why.
I'm 27 in august. Yay .

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Janszoon

Drake and Nowell were actually 28 when they died but I do agree that it's weird how many musicians have died around the age of 27-28. My theory is that it generally takes about a decade for the lifestyle to take its toll, and most rock stars seem to seriously start pursuing the dream in their late teens, so that puts the toll-taking smack dab in the late 20s.

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Automaticchaos

Well, I guess they didn't. I don't consider the abortion "Chinese Democracy" real Guns N' Roses. Velvet revolver is/was good. But I meant the original lineup.

Janszoon

The original lineup didn't release any albums so it's hard to say what would have happened. I guess they would have ended up sounding more like L.A. Guns since 3/5 of the original members came from that band. I have to say I'm pretty happy that didn't happen though. GnR ended being a lot better band than L.A. Guns.

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Time & Place

25 Albums You Should Hear Before the Moon Crashes into the Earth and We All Die

last.fm

s_k

Drake was actually 26 and Nowell 28.
So that evens it out.
I think your theory is is partly right.
I mean, they didn't start making music at the same age, they didn't get fame at the same age. Some didn't even get famous at all (like drake). So in some cases the life style would indeed take it's toll after a decade or so. But in some cases I just don't get it. I mean, if it were 'somewhere between 25 and 35', yes. But 27 spot on, almost in every case? Strange.
Come to think of it, Frusciante was aged 27 when he almost killed himself with drugs and such. Just in time.

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Raust

I'll throw in my 2 cents on what I think of some of these questions
From my understanding Nirvana's popularity was decreasing a bit in early '94. Kurt was working on a single to promote lollapalooza before he died called 'Do Re Mi'. That would've been tuned and refined a bit and would give the audience just a taste of what to expect for Kurt's solo work. From what I've read to Nirvana was on the cusp of breaking up. I think they would've broke up within the year. They were also working on some material for there "next" studio album and what came out of that was "You Know You're Right". So I think they would've released material after they broke up and maybe reunite 10 or so years later once they got over there personal differences (Kurt being so distant and being a junkie). Kurt then would've most likely came up with a solo album or two and probably stay away from the spotlight.

If Cliff was still alive they would finish up the Master of Puppets tour and it would most likely be a success. I'm sure Cliff would speak up about "And Justice For All..." and the fact that you could hardly hear the bass at all on it. And they would've still went on with the black album. Also I don't think the "Black Album" is what Cliff would be concerned about the most. I'm sure if he was around during the recording of St. Anger he would speak out against the lack of solo's and the sound of the drums and the ****ty lyrics along with the whole ****ty album. I'm thinking they would've been better and more respected if he were around now.

Like Janszoon said they never really broke up. Axl being a pretentious prick kicked all of the original members up to 'Use Your Illusion' out of the band and replaced them with studio musicians, dudes from other bands and some solo artists. Guns 'N Roses now is just a revolving door of musicians with Izzy the keyboardist on Use Your Illusion and Axl.

I'm not that knowledgeable on the other artists, but I was a pretty big doors fan once. Jim Morrison would've stayed in paris for another couple months and then go back to L.A. where the other doors members were coming up with material. Morrison was working on a lot of poetry also in paris he would've released another poetry book. He was probably working on lyrics also for the doors next album. They would've probably released another 2-3 albums much more blues oriented and then break up. Tentions within the band were pretty bad from what I've read, but all were willing to stick around I'm sure they would've broke up within the decade.

TockTockTock

I think Robert Johnson died at 27, too.